Brake assembly and control mechanism for a cart, and method

1. A method of transporting carts including at least a first cart and a second cart, each of the carts including a frame having a front end and a rear end, the front end of each frame defining a lower platform including at least one platform support member, the rear end of each frame being coupled to an upright member and at least one rear wheel, the upright member extending upwardly from the rear end of the frame, the method comprising:

providing a brake assembly on the first cart adjacent the rear wheel, the brake assembly being configured to move between an engagement position and a disengagement position, the brake assembly being configured to brake the first cart when the brake assembly is moved into the engagement position and to release the first cart when the brake assembly is moved into the disengagement position;

providing a brake release device on the first cart, the brake release device being configured to move the brake assembly into the disengagement position when the brake release device is moved from an original position to a release position, wherein the brake release device moves from the original position to the release position when the brake release device is moved in a lateral direction relative to the upright member of the first cart;

nesting the second cart behind the first cart by sliding the front end of the frame of the second cart through the rear end of the frame of the first cart, wherein the platform support member of the frame of the second cart moves the brake release device in the lateral direction; and

transporting the first and second carts.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second carts includes a brake actuation device configured to move the brake assembly from the engagement position to the disengagement position when the brake actuation device is actuated and to allow the brake assembly to return to the engagement position when the brake actuation device is released.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein, for each cart, actuating the brake actuation device comprises pivoting a handle coupled to a top end of the upright support member.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein transporting the first and second carts comprises:

actuating the brake actuation device on the second cart; and

pushing the second cart forwardly against the first cart.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising unnesting the second cart from the first cart including pulling the platform support member of the second cart out from the rear end of the first cart, whereby the brake release device of the first cart returns to the original position.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein unnesting the second cart from the first cart causes the brake assembly to return to the engagement position to brake the first cart.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the brake assembly of the first cart wraps down on an axle of the rear wheel of the first cart when the brake assembly is arranged in the engagement position.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein a side surface of the platform support member of the second cart moves the brake release device in the lateral direction.

9. A cart comprising:

a frame having a top, a bottom, a front end, and a rear end, the bottom of the frame defining a lower platform, the rear end of the frame including at least one upright support member;

at least one rear wheel coupled to the rear end of the frame;

a brake assembly arranged at the bottom of the frame adjacent the rear wheel, the brake assembly including a member configured to move between an engagement position and a disengagement position, the brake assembly being configured to provide braking operation of the cart when the brake assembly is moved into the engagement position and to allow transport of the cart when the brake assembly is moved into the disengagement position;

a brake actuation device arranged at the top of the frame, the brake actuation device being configured to move the brake assembly to the disengagement position when the brake actuation device is actuated and to allow the brake assembly to return to the engagement position when the brake actuation device is released; and

a brake release device arranged on the frame above the lower platform, the brake release device being configured to move the brake assembly to the disengagement position when the brake release device is moved laterally with respect to the upright support member from an original position to a release position.

10. The cart of claim 9 , wherein the brake actuation device is a pivotal handle.

11. The cart of claim 9 , wherein the brake release device is arranged on the upright support member of the cart.

12. The cart of claim 11 , wherein the brake release device includes an engagement lever extending laterally outwardly from the upright support member of the cart.

13. The cart of claim 12 , wherein the cart is a first cart; and wherein the engagement lever of the brake release device is configured to contact a side of a lower platform of a second cart when the second cart is nested behind the first cart.

14. The cart of claim 13 , wherein each cart includes a front wheel, and wherein the front wheel of the second cart is lifted upwardly when the second cart is nested behind the first cart.

15. The cart of claim 13 , wherein the lower platform of each cart includes at least one platform support member defining a perimeter of the lower platform, wherein the platform support member of the second cart contacts the engagement lever of the brake release device of the first cart when the second cart is nested behind the first cart.

16. The cart of claim 11 , wherein the brake release device rotates about the upright support member.

17. The cart of claim 9 , wherein the lower platform extends from a hub of the rear wheel to the front end of the cart.

18. The cart of claim 17 , wherein the upright support member couples to the hub of the rear wheel.

19. The cart of claim 9 , wherein the brake assembly includes a brake member that moves longitudinally when the brake assembly moves between the engaged and disengaged positions.

20. The cart of claim 9 , wherein the rear wheel is cantilevered from the frame.